Bangladesh to amend labor law

DHAKA – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the government has taken initiative to amend the existing Labor Law of the country.

The prime minister was addressing a discussion at Osmani Memorial auditorium on the occasion of the May Day. She appreciated the role of the working class people for the development of the country, Desh TV reports.

Meanwhile, Hasina has alleged that a third party is involved in the Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector unrest. She said that the government has proof of such instigation by outsiders through the intelligence agencies. “I’ve come to know that certain quarters are involved with these occurrences.”

Referring to the recent demonstrations in Mirpur and Narayanganj, Hasina said the government is keeping an eye on them but did not reveal their identity. “But I do have a few names and evidence of what they have done.” A common demand at all the demonstrations includes a minimum wage of Tk 5,000 ($72.1868) per month. Labor minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain has already announced that a new minimum wage structure will be declared within the next three months and urged workers to be patient until then. The prime minister urged workers not to be easily influenced by the vested quarters. She assured them that her government is dedicated towards the workers and has already formed a wage commission and a minimum wage board. “We will declare a new scale following the recommendations.”

Referring to sudden destruction and strikes in the RMG sector, Hasina said failed to understand such activities since damaging factories and destroying their stocks would hardly benefit the workers. She said although initially the owners incurred the losses, it was eventually the country that lost. “Thus it is also your duty to preserve and protect the RMG sector.” At the same time, Hasina urged the factory owners to be sympathetic towards their workers. – Agencies